초록 ▼

A simple and inexpensive method and apparatus are provided for weighing product, such as fruits and vegetables, with a separate, simple yet effective method and apparatus for sorting fruits and vegetables having the same characteristics. The weighing apparatus includes a pair of chains having inward

A simple and inexpensive method and apparatus are provided for weighing product, such as fruits and vegetables, with a separate, simple yet effective method and apparatus for sorting fruits and vegetables having the same characteristics. The weighing apparatus includes a pair of chains having inwardly extending pins engaging vertically elongated slots in lubricating plastic hour glass shaped roller segments. A flat bottom portion of each roller segment engages three rails of a stationary track while the pins engage the elongated slots and move the roller segments over the weighing mechanism. Two or more roller segments engage a fruit or vegetable at the same time, and the stationary track is notched at a load cell so that all of the roller segments supporting a fruit or vegetable operatively engage the load cell at the same time. The product sorter includes a contoured supporting base with a flexible belt on the base and in sliding engagement with it. The flexible belt includes a number of fingers spaced from each other in the dimension of conveyance. The belt may be formed in two sections, one having a roughened surface or shallow flights for engaging the fruits or vegetables. A number of ejectors, each comprising a rotary solenoid with a flipper, are spaced along the length of the supporting base to flex fingers of the belt and move a fruit or vegetable off of the belt and base when actuated.

대표청구항 ▼

A product weighing apparatus comprising: a weighing mechanism; a plurality of spaced separate and distinct product engaging elements, any two or more adjacent elements for engaging each product to be weighed; conveyance means for conveying said product engaging elements, including a moving conveying

A product weighing apparatus comprising: a weighing mechanism; a plurality of spaced separate and distinct product engaging elements, any two or more adjacent elements for engaging each product to be weighed; conveyance means for conveying said product engaging elements, including a moving conveying mechanism and a stationary track; means for interconnecting said product engaging elements with said moving conveyance mechanism, so that relative vertical movement therebetween is possible, and means associated with said product engaging elements for sliding on said track means; and said weighing mechanism including a portion of said stationary track means that is vertically movable with respect to the rest of said stationary track means, said portion of said stationary track means shaped and dimensioned so that at least two adjacent product engaging elements, engaging a product to be weighed, are weighed at the same time.